Around the World, Senior Mormon Missionaries Make a World of Difference

After retirement many senior couples have the desire to serve as full-time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a period of 12-24 months.  They pay their own expenses, and accept the call to serve wherever they are needed worldwide. 

Senior missionaries serve in many different capacities.  Their service is different from that of the young missionaries who are called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Like the young missionaries, however, senior missionaries wear the same familiar name badges that identify them as missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Many senior couples are called to use their professional skills in specific areas such as education, medicine, counselling, accounting or agriculture. Others accept assignments in areas where congregations need assistance with leadership support.  

Senior missionaries can be found teaching English classes, or how to research your family history.

Many senior missionaries use their office skills assisting the presidents of missions throughout the world, while others serve in the Church's area administration offices, where they assist in a variety of departments—such as education, legal, welfare and public affairs.  

If you visit one of the Church’s visitor’s centres or historical sites throughout the world you will most likely be greeted by a senior missionary.  

Some senior missionaries are involved in digitizing paper records housed in government and other archives in various locations around the world. They work long hours to preserve valuable records from possible fire or water damage, or gradual deterioration caused by time and the elements. This service makes it possible for individuals to access these documents, such as for family history purposes.

Sometimes you may see a senior missionary using his or her farming skills to teach families and communities better ways to produce food, while others use their skills to landscape and care for gardens and grounds at the Church's many visitor's sites around the world.  

Doctors, nurses, dentists, teachers, counsellors, attorneys, builders, accountants, as well as grandpas, grandmas, good neighbours and former leaders in local congregations, make up the global force of senior Mormon missionaries.   They willingly and freely give time during their senior years to serve others.  

"It’s a great opportunity, a wonderful feeling, and a blessing for me as well as those I try to help," said one missionary.

“Sharing with others what I have learned throughout my life’s experiences has made my senior years more fulfilling.  I love being a senior missionary.”

Often senior couples enjoy the experiences of missionary service so much that they leave the comforts of their homes again to serve more than one mission.  

As one senior missionary says, "It’s not a sacrifice, it’s a blessing."